Lacombe

Despite decades of government programs and regulations, today, nearly five million Canadian adults continue to smoke.

Even if you are not a smoker yourself, chances are someone you know, love or work with, is.

About 22 per cent of the world’s population still smokes, despite successive measures by governments around the world to reduce smoking rates.

The Liberal government will bring its proposal to increase the inclusion rate on capital gains to the House of Commons before the parliamentary summer break, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday.

"In the coming weeks, and certainly before the House rises, we will begin the legislative process to implement our increase in the inclusion rate," Freeland confirmed during a news conference.

The finance minister announced the capital gains tax changes as part of her April budget, but left the new inclusion rate out of the budget legislation she tabled last month.

On May 10, the Red Deer RCMP received a report of a sexual assault. 

Investigators were advised that on May 9, at approximately 5:00 p.m., two 12-year-old youths were walking home in the Oriole Park West area of Red Deer when they were approached by a male, who put his hand down the back of their pants and grabbed their buttocks. The two youth then ran away.

After a continued investigation, Red Deer RCMP have been able to obtain a composite sketch of the suspect who is described as:

The City of Wetaskiwin received $17.9 million from the Government of Alberta to help fund the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.  

Maskwacis–Wetaskiwin MLA and Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson and Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam announced the additional funding on May 17.  

Blackfalds Town Council authorized Mayor Jamie Hoover to write a letter to the provincial government expressing concerns over proposed Bill 20: Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, during the May 14 regular meeting of council.  

On behalf of town council, Hoover sent a letter to Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Honourable Ric McIver, and MLA Jennifer Johnson.  

Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) has appointed Kendall Johnson as the new Assistant Principal at the Ponoka Elementary School (PES).  

Johnson brings over two decades of experience within the elementary grades, showcasing her deep commitment to fostering an enriching educational environment for younger students.   

The Central Alberta U15 Girls International Selects soccer team is planning to play in a tournament in Portugal in the Summer of 2025. To do so, they have been doing a lot of fundraising for their trip.

Lacombe City Council approved the 2024/2026 Strategic Plan update, outlining council’s priorities for the remainder of its term.   

A workshop was held in April, where council prioritized and ranked Strategic Plan tactics.  

The Town of Ponoka is inviting Central Albertans to a new Spring Festival on Saturday (May 25).    

At the festival, Ponoka and area residents can expect bouncy houses, glitter tattoos, balloon twisting, crafts, food trucks, games, and more.  

“It'll be an action-packed family fun day filled with a lot of great activities,” said Andrew Jones, Manager of Parks, Recreation and Facilities for the Town of Ponoka.  

The Medicine River Wildlife Centre’s educational owl Otis turned 21 on May 15.   

Otis was brought into the wildlife centre when he was between three and five days old, his eyes were closed, and he was orphaned and injured.